The Google Summer of Code is a project run by Google which matches up ideas, programmers (focusing on students) and OpenSource development project to advance the technology.
Speaking at open source conference Linux.conf.au yesterday (Thursday), Google’s head of open source programs, Leslie Hawthorn, hinted that the IT giant is evaluating a southern hemisphere version of the Summer of Code during the Australian summer months.Stopping short of confirming the program, Hawthorn said Google is looking into finding the human resources – as opposed to the financial resources – to make it happen. She said that an announcement of the local program is expected in October.
Of course, it wouldn’t really be summer, because it’s Australia.[source]